Th13rteen

Chapter 15

Th13rteen

Chapter 15

*

*

Aurelia...

"Hally!" I don't think that's really his name, but he never corrects me when I say it wrong.

"Aurelia! No!" He panicked, falling further away. I could barely see him anymore. "NOOO!" The world started to blur around me, getting blindingly brighter.

"Aurelia!"

*

"Hally!" I gasped, shooting out of bed. "Oh my gosh, it was Hally."

I sat up, trying to calm my heavy breathing. I've spent the past week trying to think of why that man knew me, and where I possibly knew him from. Now finally, a week later, I have the dream again.

Of course, how could I not have seen it before? The same short curly hair, the bright green eyes. That man and his eyes have haunted me for years, how could I not have recognized him then and there? It's now clear I definitely knew the man, but how? This realization brought nothing but more questions, leaving me frustrated.

Who is he? What part did he play in my childhood? Where has he been all this time? The question that bothered me the most was, how do I find him? I don't know anything about him, although he clearly seems to know me.

He definitely can't be my dad, he looks too young, mid twenties maybe? Maybe an uncle or cousin? Brother? No, he looked nothing like me.

How do I find him when all I have is his name, which I don't even think is actually his name?

Before I could ponder the subject anymore, my bedroom door flung open.

"Happy birthday!" My parents, and Evan, barged into the room. The realization sunk in.

Oh no.

It's the thirteenth.

"How can you guys be so excited? Don't you know what day it is?" My face scrunched with worry.

"Yes, it's your birthday." Mom chirped.

"It's the thirteenth."

They all tensed.

"Rel, it's going to be okay. We're all going to be together, and we won't let anything happen today." Evan sighed.

"I'm not leaving your side all day, Sunshine. If something tries to hurt you, they'll have to get through me first." My dad said in a 'tough guy' voice.

With a weary look at my loved ones, I sighed before forcing myself up, and slowly getting ready.

Once I was dressed in dark jeans, and a nice sweater, I made my way down the stairs. My family's chatter immediately stopped once I appeared in the kitchen. I grew to fear this room after what happened last month.

My thoughts drifted to Alex. I wonder how he's spending his birthday today. Is he faking happiness for the sake of his family, too? Does he miss me, too, or has he moved on?

"You guys ready to go?" I asked, trying to sound excited. My parents smiled happily, obviously falling for my fake cheer. Evan, however, gave me a slight frown, seeing right through me.

The car ride was the same as every other year. My parents talked and asked me and Evan about school and our college classes, they asked if we were going to the Fall Festival next weekend, and laughed at jokes they made. I responded and laughed when appropriate, but truthfully, I felt nothing but anxious the whole car ride.